In Rollinsford: 'Small town' remembers veterans sacrifice

By Ron Cole

Special to the Democrat

fosters.com

By Ron Cole

Special to the Democrat

Posted Nov. 12, 2012 at 3:15 AM

By Ron Cole

Special to the Democrat

Posted Nov. 12, 2012 at 3:15 AM

ROLLINSFORD — “The Rollinsford American Legion Post 47 was founded over 80 years ago and,” said Commander Ron Chabot, “every year we have honored our veterans by holding a ceremony, and this year is no different. Perhaps even more important considering where some of our troops are today.”

Chabot, and many members of the Post joined by local residents, gathered at Gold Star Park, to recognize the contributions made by all the United States veterans past and present to their country.

Set alongside the Salmon Falls River Reservoir on Foundry Street, the park was put into place in the early 60s and has been the location for the annual ceremony since.

“It is appropriate that we hold the service here,” said past Commander Dick Shorey “the small towns seem to remember what Veterans Day is all about, what they have done for us strikes a little closer to home here.”

Most branches of the military were represented this day and although there was the usual joking about the difference in the services, all were there to do one thing, honor those that served. Post Senior Vice Commander Bob Allard Jr., a veteran of Kosovo, the Gulf War and several other conflicts, retired as a Navy Chief and stated, “I wish there we could do more than just this, so many sacrificed everything that they had, even their lives.”

He went on to speak about the troubles some young veterans have when returning from the Middle East and Afghanistan, “that's a sad part,” he said.

Past Commander Shorey nodded in agreement as he pointed out Post 47 member Ray Brunelle. The 79-year-old Brunelle was a 19-year-old soldier in Korea in 1951 and was captured by the North Korean for a short time.

“It was March of 1962, we were in North Korea and I became separated from my outfit, was taken prisoner for a brief period in the day, and after fighting hand to hand with them, managed to escape,” said the Brunelle, still feisty to this day.

Later in the conflict, deemed a “police action” at the time, Brunelle was injured and spent several years in Japan and the U.S. recuperating from his injuries.

“A genuine American Hero,” commented one of his fellow Legionaires.

Another Post member holding a Purple Heart is Dick Hayes, a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War.

“I was injured in 1966 at Chu Chi, one of the most famous battlegrounds of the war,” said the 25th Infantry veteran, “and this year I received a Father's Day present from my son David: a trip to Vietnam. In March of 2013, he and I will be traveling to some of the areas I fought in, I'm sure it will be a very different and emotional feeling,” said the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard retiree.

In his address to the assemblage, Commander Chabot referred to the history of Veterans Day, “It was called Armistice Day in 1919 and President Woodrow Wilson referred to it in his speech saying 'the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country's service'.”

Said Chabot, “Therefore we thank all the veterans, relatives and friends who join us today to honor those who paid the supreme sacrifice, those wounded, and those who dutifully came home or remained in the service for life. God bless.”

The service ended with a gun salute by the Post Honor Guard and Taps played by bugler Bill Robinson, whose father gave the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam.